New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-10
TIE DIAMOND sEARCHERS.
AN ENORMOUS LOSS IN SPITE OF THEM.

Visitors to the Indian and Colonial exhibition re-
Gently held in London able to gain from the elab-
orate working models of Kimberley diamond mines
fairly accurate idea of the manner in which this most
important branch Of South African industry is carried
on. Few persons, however except those who have
lived at the Cape have conception OF the enormous
loss to the legitimate owners and workers Of the
diamond mines caused by the traffic in stolen diamonds
stolen that s by the native dggers employed in the
Mines and sold by them to the Illicit diamond buyers,
commonly known at the Cape as the ." /. d D." Con-
tanning 1t does greater value in smaller bulk than
almost any other known substance the diamond offers
special facilities for concealment and the native digger
is slow to take advantage of this fact Realizing this
from painful experience, the Kimberley Detective De-
parnent supported by the Board OF Mines, with the
operation of the Cape Government, has established tho
searching system which I am about TO describe. and
which is probably unequaed in the gor and severity
OF its tests by similar system in the civilized word
and since despite all precautions the annual loss to the
companies by the ID. B." traffic amounts to more than
half million Of dollars 1t must be admitted that the
natives this respect least not at all inferior to
their white brothers in cunning and ingenuity.
Before entering the claims In the morning every native
is obliged pass through the dressing Sheds where he
dof the garments of civilization which the common
law compels him in the streets Of the town, aud
don the regulation working dress, consisting simply OF
breechclout and light straw hat Clad in this airy
garb he labors throughout the day; excavatiny the
damondferous blue ground" and sbovelng it into
tram lines the upper edge OF the vast crater like pit of
the mine whence carried the sorting tables
ont in thin layers mostened pulverzed sifted and
amined by the sorters diamond seekers proper. All
this work is carried under the supervision OF watchfu
and experienced guards quick to detect any suspicious
movement the part Of the native digger yet so
adrot has the latter become In his special branch OF
legerdeman that IL early found impossible to rely
solely the guards watchfulncss; and accordingly
every native after his days work is finished and before
he is allowed to leave the mine, is compelled to pass
through the searchingsheds where he is submitted to
personal examination minute and complete than is
undergone Dos desperate criminal In the prisons
OF any civilized country Indeed so revolving Is this
searching system OF its details that t has been
found impossible to obtain sufficient number of trust
worthy Europeans willing to undertake the duties of the
searcher. despite the high salary attached to the
positions and the actual searching is therefore per-
formed (under European supervisory by natives, who
presumably less affected by the degrading nature of
the work.
SINGULAR AND DISGUSTING TESTS
On entering the searching sheds the digger Is first
stripped the skin, and his hat and breech clout are
carefully examined Next he stands before window, in
strong light and the surface of his body is critically
surveyed special attention being given to suspicious
wounds the legs or elsewhcre since 1t is by
no for the natives to cultivate chronic
for the purpose Of utilizing their cavities as
pouches for diamonds; when they have found a
specially valuable to nhict cash on the
leg with the spade, IL accidentally, and to slip the
diamond between the lips OF the wound while binding 1t
up Next every kink Of his wooy hair is separately
squeezed pulled and he required to raise his
while his armpits examined The navel the folds OF
the groins and abdomen all passed Under review |
and this superficial 90 examination is completed by the
digger turning his back the searchcr who lifts up his
feet one after the other and looks and feels for possible
jewels between his toes
The preliminary inspection the digger 10 next
passed a second searcher who proceeds to exam
inc the various via naturales whereby concealed |
diamond may have been conveyed below the surface OF
the body The and nostrls examined with probe
spcculun the mouth is opened and thoroughly ex-
porcd with eye and finger special attention being paid
any cavities In tho teeth The throat Is next explored
with laryngoscopc and sponge probang is passed |
down the gulle and II any traces of blood or LAGER
atoms OF tho membrane are detected. such as
might have been produced by swallowing an angular |
crystal. a sharp emeo is given the spot. and the
innocent cause Of all this trouble Is generally
cred
The digger who has successfully passed these tests is
next handed to the tender mercies OF another |
OPERATOR whose duty is detect any possible in |
testinal conceaIment This does not however complete
the examna ion. Other procedures follow OF nature
unht for publication anywhere but in the columns of
medical journal; bus the reader who has followed this
description thus far will understand why the de-
mand for Trustworthy white searchers at Kimberley so
the supply although he may scarcely be able
to credit the stated above. that Notwithstanding all
these precautions diamonds to the vauo OF more than
hundred thou and pounds sterling stu ind their
way annually into the hands Of the d. b." fraternity
all OF these diamonds having passed successfully |
through the terrible ordeal of the searching
EXTRAORDINARY ADRoIrNEss or THs DIGGERs.
In illustration OF the skill and audacy OF the native
dggers cannot do better than TO conclude this short
sketch with story related by gentleman who Is one OF
the largest private claim holders in tho heds Wish
ing the efficacy Of the searching system. he one
day gave small diamond TO OF his native diggers
boy OF fourteen and told him he would give
him a sovereign IL he would pass the diamond success
fully through the searching sheds ana return IL 10 hln
The boy laughed and readily undertook the commission;
the proceeded to notify the authorities OF his
proposed experiment In order that the boy II detected,
might suffer the penalty OF the law but TO his utter
establishment and that of the searchers. the boy man
aged eude their vigilance and to earn the promised
sovereign. THIS incident impressed the owner with
the comparative futity Of any searching system, how
ever elaborate that he set his wits to work to devise
some more efectual check the l. d. b." industry; |
and believe 1t was owing largely to his exertions that
or two companies have adopted instead what IS |
known as the close compound system, whereby Tue |
night while in the service Of the company; but sub
init TO term of voluntary Imprisonment In the com
pany's compound" or large stockaied yard, where
they lodged. fed and clothed at the company's ex-
pcnse. - . .,,, A.,
lay the Kairs fondness for liquor - his unwilling
forego his nightly visit TO the canteen y but by
supplyng q limited quantity of liquor TO the natives
within the precincts OF the compound, these companies
have hs 10 afSe' ne resSg
Effected by reducing their loss stolen diamonds has
been so considerable that other companies are
preparing follow their example.
RIGORs OF THE LAW.
But the abolition of the present searching system at
the mines IL accomplished will be only one step |
toward the improvement OF the existing state OF things
at Kimberley Many other sections OF the present code
OF special laws relating the diamond traffic felt to
require amendment, although it is difficult to suggest
efficient substitutes for them In its present form the
diamond act entails danger to the liberty OF
the lawabidng subject for it gives to the Kimberley
detective police unlimited discretionary power to
act suspicion than exists in any other cvzeo
country Russia perhaps, excepted. For instance. In
every pubic building railway station, etc. throughout
the colony, placars posted to the effect that any
finding rough diamonds In the posses